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What is a wall anchor?
A wall anchor is a fitting that lets a screw hold in a wall that cannot grip it alone. Threaded anchors are roughly 25 to 75 lb, plug anchors up to about 25 lb, toggle and molly bolts hold the most, and masonry anchors serve brick and concrete.
Diagram: anchor types. Schematic.
Types and ratings
| Anchor | Use and rating | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Threaded (self-drilling) | Twists into drywall without a pilot hole; roughly 25 to 75 lb | BVA |
| Expansion (plug) | Needs a pilot hole; up to about 25 lb, small ones as low as 10 lb | BVA |
| Toggle and molly bolts | Suit drywall; toggle holds the most tensile load but leaves a larger hole and the toggle falls behind the wall if the screw is removed | TOH |
| Masonry anchor | For brick or concrete, with a hammer drill and carbide-tip bit | TOH |
| Screw into a stud | 100 lb or more depending on the screw | BVA |
| Standard picture hooks | Typically rated 5 to 30 lb; check the pack | CPFH |
The drywall guide applies This Old House's at-least-twice rule for heavy picture hangers. Always check the pack for the thickness of wall it was rated in. Install tip: stop tightening when the lip is flush so the anchor does not sink (BVA).
Sources
- Bob Vila: how to install a drywall anchor (fetched 2026-11-12)
- This Old House: how to hang something heavy (fetched 2026-11-12)
- CustomPictureFrames: installing picture frame hanging hardware (fetched 2026-11-12)
Figures from these pages are paraphrased and re-checked on 2026-11-12. Where two sources disagree, both figures are shown. Hardware and wall products vary, so follow the pack instructions.
Related pages
- Hang a frame on drywall
- Stud and stud finder
- All framing and hanging terms
- Glossary: print, size and order terms